On Tuesday night (10-2-12) Brad Paisley popped out of the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry and surprised everyone by presenting former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman turned pop country star Darius Rucker with an invitation to become the Grand Ole Opry’s newest member. The invitation came a week after Gaylord Entertainment’s $210 million sale to Marriott International was approved by shareholders.

As a frame of reference, you can cull through the vast Saving Country Music archives, and aside from maybe a passing comment, you will find no ill will towards Hootie around here, no negative reviews or features of any sort. No matter what you think of the man, he’s generally kept his nose clean over the years, understanding that he is privileged to be amongst the mainstream country ranks, and no, not because of his race.

The problem with this invitation is that he is a country interloper, a carpetbagger who came to the genre like so many others to save a dying pop rock career. And we don’t even know how long he will stay. He said in late July that Hootie & The Blowfish are reuniting and recording new music. But here we are, handing Hootie country’s most coveted invitation with a lifetime guarantee when there’s so many other artists out there so much more deserving.

And the invitation is so obvious. It’s a headline maker. How about showing the man some respect by letting him earn the invitation, as opposed to using him as a prop for a publicity blitz? It is good that the Opry finally has another black member, but not that it is being done this way.

SCM’s Top 25 Artists Deserving Opry Membership

Hank Williams

Willie Nelson

Merle Haggard

Dwight Yoakam

George Strait

Miranda Lambert

Jamey Johnson

Lee Ann Womack

Hank Williams Jr.

Zac Brown

Kellie Pickler

Rosanne Cash

Ronnie Dunn

Dale Watson

Mark Chesnutt

Jo Dee Messina

Sam Bush

Elizabeth Cook

Easton Corbin

Jack Ingram

Gene Watson

Josh Abbot

“Cousin” Kenny Vaughan

Eli Young

Aaron Tippin

And after sleeping on this list, 6 other names that probably deserve to be on it somewhere:

Billy Joe Shaver

Kris Kristofferson

Robert Earl Keen

Asleep At The Wheel

Gary Stewart

And though nowhere near the top for sure, but still probably more deserving than Darius – Taylor Swift

And just in case you were wondering where Hootie would be on my list? Well, you have to fast-forward pretty far…

722. Goo Goo Dolls

723. 80’s one hit wonder band “Mister Mister”

724. Limahl – The guy that sang the theme song to The NeverEnding Story. This dude:

725. Darius Rucker

726. Billy Ray Cyrus’s mullet

727. Garth Brooks’ enlarged prostate

728. Kid Rock

I tried to be practical when making my list, but if all things were equal (and taking into consideration the Opry’s family friendly environment), here are some names from the underground/independent country world that would deserve an Opry nod:

Your top 5 is spot on man Gary Stewart, chesnutt and watson as well. If they are all about being hip and new, I dont see a damn thing wrong with Pickler, Corbin, and Zac Brown. As far as mainstream goes they do country some justice………As a actual Kid Rock fan it made me chuckle. I do see your point. dont always agree with you but some good picks.

And then there is another artist I would add, an artist who over the last 4 years has expanded country music’s audience more than any other artist, but just mentioning her name in the same sentence as the Opry would constitute high blasphemy on this site, so I will refrain…

Those are two good names. The point of the Opry is supposed to be to take artists that are good and put them over the top, and those two artists fit that mold. Instead the Opry nowadays wants to see someone become a bona-fide country music franchise, and only then do they give them the nod.

I almost put Taylor Swift on the list somewhere between 20 and 25. If I had stretched it out to 30, she probably would have been on there. The problem with Taylor is not that she’s not good or not deserving, it’s that in the end she’s just not country enough. But I think Taylor Swift is WAY more deserving than Darius Rucker simply because however country she is or isn’t, she’s worked her whole life (however short) in the genre, while Rucker is an interloper with one foot in.

Make no mistake, Swift will be an Opry member someday, unless she doesn’t want to be. In the end, that’s the reason that Merle, Willie, and George Strait aren’t. But I believe these men are such legends, they deserve the recognition even if they don’t or can’t fulfill their Opry obligations.

BTW, have you heard “Merry Go Round” by Kacey Musgraves? I just heard it on the radio about a week ago and it truly stunned me. I have never heard such a cynical song about tradition and the country lifestyle on country radio, or even in any of the old country songs that I have heard for that matter. It truly seemed like the ultimate “anti-country” song. Playing such a song to a country music audience definitely takes guts.

Are you planning to do a review of the song? I think you would find it very intriguing.

This harkens back to the Seeker vs Dweller comment I posted a few months ago. Country music has always served as the core musical choice for Dwellers, and therefore a hard-core Seeker song like this is truly groundbreaking in the country format. Frankly, the fact that country radio is actually playing this song provides a ray of hope for the future of mainstream country music.

As far as Darius being that far down on your list… I’d kind of have to disagree.

I didn’t listen to Hootie and The Blowfish when they were popular in the 90s. Hell, my dad wouldn’t have allowed it because it wasn’t country or his beloved Beach Boys (pretty much the only non-country he likes).

I actually bought “Cracked Rear View” last year, or the year before that. Surprisingly enough, it’s an album that is every bit as current now, nearly two decades after it’s release, as it was then. That makes it a rarity when it comes to 90s music, as a lot of it didn’t have much staying power, and there were a ton of one-hit-wonders in that decade.

Not only that, but it’s MORE country that most mainstream country now. In fact, if it was released today it would play on country stations, and most of your Taylor Swift/Carrie Underwood/Rascal Flatts loving crowd would call it TOO country.

Am I saying it actually IS country?

Hell no.

But The Opry could and absolutely HAS done far worse than Darius Rucker lately, both as performers and members. I don’t disagree that his being invited is premature, and possibly politically motivated, but I think you exaggerate just how “grievous” this is. Hell, Elvis performed on the Opry stage with songs that were less country than what H&TB put out.

Oh, and I don’t know where I’d put him, but Kevin Fowler deserves an Opry invite if we’re all making our dream lists.

Rucker being that far down the list is obviously a joke. I’m not sure where I would put him on a list if I strung it out past 25, but I would put many other artists who’ve shown dedication to country throughout their entire career before him. Rucker started in pop rock, and may end up there again depending how the winds blow. I don’t have any problem with Hootie & The Blowfish, and you’re right, his album probably is more country than most mainstream fare. But this is the most coveted invitation into one of the most important institutions in all of music. There are artists and musicians who’ve worked their whole careers, since they were little kids to get into the Opry, yet Rucker flips genres and all of a sudden gets in. As much as I hated the Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban inductions, at least they made some sense because they had been playing in the genre many years.

I tried to be practical with my list, but I can definitely see John Prine as a legitimate candidate.

If all things were equal and underground artists had a legitimate shot (and taking into consideration the Opry’s “family friendly” environment, I’d induct:

Wayne “The Train” Hancock
Rachel Brooke
Caleb Klauder
James Hand
Whitey Morgan (as long as he kept it clean)
Lucky Tubb (As long as he kept sober)
Billy Joe Shaver (a name I probably should have included on the list up top)
Chris Scruggs

I don’t care if they want to be in or if they’re able to fill their Opry “obligations” (one reason some big stars that don’t live in Nashville turn an invite down), to not have Willie and Merle in there is an atrocity. If Merle turned them down because he doesn’t want to be associated, then they should change their ways until he accepts.

The fact that these guys refused is solid proof that the Opry is a joke. These are the names you (should) think of when you think country music. After looking at the Country Music HOF, there are some big names missing on that list as well.

I feel two different ways about induction to the Grand Ole Opry and the Hall of Fame. I like the exclusivity of the HOF, and though there are some folks I’d like to see in there that are not, this is better than seeing folks in there that shouldn’t be. As for the Opry, if I was in charge, I might induct 20 new people tomorrow. There seems to be a ton of glaring omissions. Part of the reason I see more with the Opry than the HOF is because the Opry really hasn’t been inducting many people in the past few years, much less than the HOF. One of the reasons for this I think is a Human Resources issue with Gaylord (now Ryman Hospitality) stemming from the Stonewall Jackson lawsuit. They no longer want to make members who they feel won’t be self-sustaining later in their careers.

Pat is bleaching the hair these day for sure. I’ll say this for the guy when he hits the stage he still plays a raw loud and very swagering set not much different than back in the day. When he plays the major label stuff there is a bee line for the restrooms or another beer. He’s most likely to much past his mainstream prime for todays opry anyway.

Elizabeth Cook is a perfect example of someone who is a no brainer for the Opry. 300 times she’s played and you can’t give her the nod? She’s pretty, she’s young, she would be a great fit of bringing both substance and accessibility, and it would be a great boost to her career.

Speaking of Caleb Klauder; what is he doing? I see on his website that he is touring in the same old places. Where’s his new album? Why can’t he venture out of his same old venues? I truly count him as one of my top favorite new country talents, and I haven’t gotten anything out of him in a few years.

Yes, he’s in the Foghorn Stringband and has also been touring with Cajun Country Revival. I saw both projects a couple of months ago at the Pickathon Festival and they were both great. Like a lot of these guys, with a greater marketing push he could blow up.

Elizabeth cook is the ex girl friend of Pete fisher the manger of the opry so I don’t see her getting an invite anytime soon. This whole thing is a farce. Before I heard this news I thought it was an earthquake. Now I know it was Hank Sr rolling over and over in his grave.

It is truly sad but par for the course. It ain’t changing anytime soon either.The process these days is indeed a farce.I’m going to be physically ill. This disgusts me. Trig your list is a good one. I would include Randy Rogers Band on that list although there latest single drives me crazy at least the video is cool. REK would be a good one too. Jerry Jeff Walker would turn it down he only plays a few times a month these days. Doesn’t matter anyway the only one of those three that might get an offer would be RRB but i’d seriously doubt it.

The fact is, until pete fisher is put out on his ass, the Opry is irrelevant in a current context. It’s all about record sales and demographics now. Dale Watson has more opry appearances than some Opry Members do, and yet he’s never been invited. there are many artists deserving, yet we get trace adkins and darius rucker. Trace adkins was on the other night doing a new song that was the ‘go amerca laundry list song’ it was crap. I’ve been lucky enough to perform on the opry a couple dozen times, and to me, just being invited to guest is one of the highest accolades I could hope to achieve. Yet, I feel like they’re handing out Opry memberships to people who are indifferent towards it at best.
some artists that deserve a membership:
Dale Watson
Radney Foster
Rodney Crowell
Asleep at the Wheel
Ray Price
Mandy Barnett
Bobby Bare Sr.
George Ducas
Jim Lauderdale
etc.

I like the fact that Easton Corbin is on the list. Maybe if he continues to make records and a few more number one hits, he might get recognized enough to be in the list. The problem with some of those guys, George Strait for example, is the fact that he lives in Texas and can’t perform enough times in Nashville to get inducted.

Of course, if Blaze Foley was alive and invited to be a part of the Grand Ole Opry, he’d probably just laugh and wipe his ass with the invitation. The Opry nowadays is beneath most of these people listed

Who are those old ass un-hip people anyway? Why should we give a crap about them?

I guess most of those COUNTRY legends are retired from performing and can”™t or won”™t perform 10 times a year, so there is really no reason they should be given the “highest honors for a country musician” no matter what they have done for the genre in the past or how many of the current members they inspired to become the artists they are today.

You’d think the Opry would have an “honorable mention” membership or a “participant” trophy they could give all the people that are worthy, but can’t sell tickets to the shows.

To accept the official obligation to the Opry induction, you have to be available to perform at least once a month even in the height of your career. Some of the names you’ve mentioned wouldn’t be interested in that commitment, it’s not just about who deserves it or not. It involves a lot of time invested some can’t make. They probably knew he’s able to perform often thus the invitation. It is also not a lifetime commitment, you can be let go as many of the oldsters were, fired, or withdraw if you need to. True he isn’t the first to deserve it but there must be an underlying reason he was chosen that isn’t immediately apparent. He is an exceptional talent with a wonderful voice, he’s not a phony that’s for sure.

Of your top 5 artists “deserving” membership: #1, Hank Williams–I hate to break it to you but he’s, um……, dead;. #’s 2 through 5, Willie, Merle, Dwight and Strait: Are you saying that they’re not members? I’ll take your word for it, but did it cross your mind that the reason they’re not members is not that they haven’t been invited, but rather that they choose not to be?

Despite the fact that artists are typically “surprised” by Opry invitations, which are given to them while they’re on stage, do you think that maybe those invitations are discussed with the artists beforehand—and the invitations are given publicly only to artists who’ve indicated that they would accept?

Let me speak bluntly. I don’t give a shit what the rules for Opry membership are. Yes, I know what they are, but there are plenty of names on the current list of members who don’t, can’t, or wouldn’t follow the rules either. Do you think Garth Brooks plays The Opry 10 times a year? He probably hasn’t played there in 10 years.

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard aren’t illegitimate because they are not Opry members, it is the Opry that is illegitimate because they aren’t. Screw the rules, you make them members because without them, The Opry means nothing. And if they don’t want to be members, then you right the ship until they do. And yes, a dead guy should be a member because without him, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion.

And barring the top 5 names, the majority of the people on that list would be willing to follow the Opry’s rules to be members. In fact as has been pointed out by other commenters, many of them already do play more than 10 times a year. With people like Sam Bush and Elizabeth Cook, they grew up dreaming of the day they could play the iconic country music institution, working tirelessly at their craft for dozens of years. Then Hootie cuts a country record to save his dying career and cuts right in front of them in line. Quite honestly, it makes me sick.

Just like the Grammys, it appears that a corrupt ‘In Crowd’ gives out the rewards,
and quality is not the first prerequisite for entry into the Country Music Hall Of Fame
any more. Sales, politics and compliance seem to be more important.
I nominate the two greatest female singers in the history of country, who can’t get a recording contract with a major label because they have too much artistic integrity for teenagers ( the coveted dempgraphic ):
1. Suzy Bogguss
2. Mandy Barnett

Kacey Chambers. From Australia, and she can go from popcountry to real country and bluegrass without losing any credibility. Her new cd Wreck and Ruin (with husband Shane Nicholson) will be on my best of the year-list.
Having daid that, I really only care about my own personal Hall of Fame, I don’t need no Opry-institute to tell me what’s country enough.

I stand corrected. I didn’t know about the ‘once a month’ appearance requirement.
It’s worse than I imagined. The Opry makes no sense.
By theway, what’s the ‘Burn In Hell Jimmy Bowen’ lyric all about? I know he fought for control at Capitol with Garth, and became seriously ill as a result, retiring in Arizona. What was his role in the ‘breakup’ of the Capitol roster?

Unless there are two of them, Gary Stewart has been dead for about eight years. Sadly he died from his own hand in his West Palm beach,Fla. home. Great performer!

What about Wynn Stewart,Mel Street and Vernon Oxford.True country artists not this panty-hose crap they do now- a- days. Was Big Al Downing a member,he certainly deserved to be, one the best in person entertainers ever to take the stage.

Even though he has called them out several times and started a campaign against them, Shelton Hank Williams should be more considered. Who else would be better to wave the flag of True Country music than the grandson of the king? They wouldn’t take kindly to his music, but the Opry should be trying to swing from his nuts. The south is all about tradition and it’s time the crown is handed down.

Some of you are confusing the Grand Ole Opry with the Country Music Hall of Fame. To be an Opry member you have to be invited and then commit to playing there several times a year. In other words, all Opry members are LIVING and still playing. George Strait & Merle Haggard, for instance, would surely be invited to join…but through the years have been unable to set aside the time to make it happen.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is completely MERIT BASED and could apply to both living and deceased musicians. Hope this helps clarify things.

Yes. There are artist who should be in that are not,and some that are in and can’t believe they are,but saying Keith urban should not be is unbelievable.that man works so hard for country music.all for the hall.count the times he has been on the opry..he gives so much of his time and his dream was to go to Nashville and play the opry.he sells out very time he’s at the opry.so why should they not ask him.oh and he’s getting a big award I read about for doing so much for Nashville,does any other stars on your list bring in millions of dollors for the hall of fame.put in time at opry his wife Nicole was answering phones for the benefit for the opry when had flood.he have talked and taught children this year.for new program for the hall.gave time and money to St.judes.this is only some of the stuff he has done.so in my book just being a great country astist of today or many years ago.just don’t cut it.and if you are ask to join the opry and you say no.than you don’t love the opry.join and make it better.give your time. Like Keith and Vince gill.its not who you was or who you are.its what you do to make country music better.

WOW, first off let me say I agree that there are tons of people that should be in the Opry, first and foremost Hank Sr…..but to degrade Darius for being asked to join the Opry is just so stupid on your part. I am a LIFE LONG country fan from Don Williams to Hank III, but I am also a fan of good music. And if you knew ANYTHING about Hootie and the Blowfish music then you would not call it Pop …..Alot of their songs had bluegrass and country sounds in it, and to be honest alot of todays country is more pop than ANY Hootie songs ever were. So I agree with your list of great country singers who should be asked to be in the Opry, but like Hank III sang “The Grand Ole Opry ain’t so Grand anymore” But learn your music before you put down a Southern band like Hootie and the Blowfish!!! And if your confused on good Country Music, come on down to the Carolina’s and we’ll give ya some sweet tea and some boiled peanuts and we will Show you some good music!!

I know a little about Hootie and the Blowfish. After seeing the video for “Hold My Hand,” I quickly went out and bought Cracked Rear View. Liked it a lot at first, but then I just grew bored with it. For me, they just didn’t have staying power like ther roots rock artists that I was into, like John Hiatt. Tried to trade it in at used CDs stores numerous times without luck. Once, I mentioned that to a store owner after he decided not to buy it from me. He said “Yep. Everybody bought it. Everybody wants to get rid of it.” So I guess I wasn’t alone.

I love, love, love a lot of Southern bands. But Hootie? They were just OK to me. Mainly, it was that their songs didn’t hold me. My guess is that they were a great bar band at one time.

Holy hell, I can’t believe some of the names on your list of Opry outliers! I’d add Ricky Van Shelton and Clint Black to that list of possible names as well. Ricky is underrated and sadly forgotten nowadays.